https://www.christylawblanchard.com/storytelling daily 0.75 2025-01-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608c30025ce4712c460a4b01/e89d14f2-191e-4fe3-af11-f50ec4e4d7f6/Screenshot+2024-05-15+at+2.10.30%E2%80%AFPM.png Storytelling - Opportunities for Good After launching a new website for National Medical Fellowships, I began a story series that highlights members of the community who engage in the mission in a variety of ways. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608c30025ce4712c460a4b01/9a4432a9-24cb-4f31-b2e1-cea7ad15e5be/Momentum+Fall+2021+cover.jpg Storytelling - Stories that Make an Impact I created the magazine to show how donors and volunteers are making a difference in the lives of students. I write and edit the magazine for Rhode Island School of Design’s Division of Institutional Engagement, and also oversee its design, production and distribution. Showcasing philanthropy is excellent stewardship for donors and gift officers use the stories to inspire their prospects. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608c30025ce4712c460a4b01/1621965012530-Y2A2LWLXPQZ34ET46AL6/glass.jpg Storytelling - RISD Together Challenge Pandemics Don’t Cancel Creativity This was the first email appeal in a challenge campaign, an effort driven by the Board of Trustees in the days after the COVID-19 pandemic forced Rhode Island School of Design to send students home and move to remote learning. This was an especially daunting transformation for an art and design school that prides itself on hands-on making. The appeal struck an optimistic and determined tone, inspired by an extraordinary student. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608c30025ce4712c460a4b01/1621965270495-505AOP5NAFAXN15JXG19/Cover+of+Pembroke+Center+Annual+Report+2016.jpg Storytelling - Brown University While working at Brown University, I created a range of materials detailing the work of the Pembroke Center and the John Carter Brown Library. These examples of my work demonstrate my ability to collaborate with faculty and communicate about scholarly content. https://www.christylawblanchard.com/about daily 1.0 2025-05-15 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608c30025ce4712c460a4b01/1621955243770-JT25DVV3XL3ERTLG4NJ9/20210525_105556_2.jpg About - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608c30025ce4712c460a4b01/474e19e2-9527-493f-9868-5390f629536e/wordmark-favicon.png About - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.christylawblanchard.com/philanthropy daily 0.75 2025-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608c30025ce4712c460a4b01/1621620926211-GSFN4IXMC773LY7SXVLF/Metcalf.jpeg Philanthropy - Proposal Nets $4 Million Gift to Jumpstart a Complex Renovation I crafted this proposal for an anonymous funder who would consider an investment of up to $4 million. Renovating the Metcalf Building is among the highest priorities of the college’s campus master plan. Collaborating with facilities, financial, advancement and academic leaders, I tailored the proposal to meet the particular guidelines provided by the funder and found ways to maximize alignment with their expressed interests. The process involved extensive research utilizing construction, budget and other documents, as well as capturing and integrating multiple rounds of often conflicting stakeholder feedback. Photo by Jo Sittenfeld https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608c30025ce4712c460a4b01/7bbe56fb-9f2f-4b6c-bf6c-a791da218944/Telescope.jpg Philanthropy - Giving Opportunity to Galvanize Donor Interest in Unrestricted Giving Unrestricted giving is the lifeblood of nonprofit organizations as it provides leaders the flexibility to take advantage of new opportunities and meet unforeseen challenges. The challenge is to present unrestricted giving so it piques donor interest. Photo by Kyler Boone on Unsplash https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608c30025ce4712c460a4b01/1621692242088-5QKEA39NTJU1LCAE2R99/painting-unsplash.jpg Philanthropy - Gift Opportunity Garners Donor Interest in Project Open Door Project Open Door provides arts education to creative teens attending public and charter schools in Rhode Island’s urban core. Students can develop their artistic skills and prepare to enroll in post-secondary education. Project Open Door offers guidance on college selection and applications, especially portfolio preparation for art and design college programs. Giving opportunities prepare gift officers to begin conversations with donors about the difference their philanthropy can make. Longer-form case statements provide a more extensive narrative with additional evidence and detail and can be used as conversations advance and to develop proposals. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608c30025ce4712c460a4b01/1621619951571-NSLG9F0EAC38VMYK3ZAD/Student+Journey.jpg Philanthropy - Concept Paper Lays a Path to Support Students Building internal consensus around ambitious efforts capable of attracting significant philanthropic investment from high-worth individuals, corporations, and foundations is challenging. A wide range of stakeholders must be interviewed and extensive research is essential. The drafts go through multiple revisions that incorporate feedback from members of the institution’s senior administration. Supporting the Academic Success of Students Made Vulnerable is a concept paper based on the premise that systemic racism and class inequities endemic to our society also manifest themselves in educational settings. Many students who are first-generation to college, from historically underrepresented groups and/or eligible for Pell grants face academic, social-emotional and financial challenges not experienced by their peers. Working with key stakeholders, I articulated a framework to make RISD’s education accessible, equitable and inclusive for all students. The first direct outcome of the paper was the launch of a three-year pre-orientation pilot program for first-generation-to-college students that will be leveraged to catalyze fundraising. Other elements will include a range of programs to support students throughout their college journey, such as expanded tutoring, advising and mentoring. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608c30025ce4712c460a4b01/1625683443612-ZREUB6E53PGS1JKIV5L6/Writing.jpg Philanthropy - Grant Proposal Writing Always expanding and sharpening my skills, I completed the National Funding Foundation’s Grant Proposal Writing course. This multi-day, hands-on program was an intensive and detailed overview of the process, structure and strategies of professional proposal writing. The course focused on program planning, writing essentials and funding research. https://www.christylawblanchard.com/leadership-communications daily 0.75 2025-03-26 https://www.christylawblanchard.com/digital-engagement daily 0.75 2025-01-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608c30025ce4712c460a4b01/6c18118c-1e79-49bc-bad0-de87ee8449a1/Screenshot+2024-05-15+at+2.24.27%E2%80%AFPM.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608c30025ce4712c460a4b01/53ae060f-58b5-4fb6-97ce-3e57ee95f810/Screenshot+2024-05-16+at+2.17.25%E2%80%AFPM.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608c30025ce4712c460a4b01/1621887434022-6SBHUYG4NA6LWPE4QSXR/Website.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608c30025ce4712c460a4b01/d34a693d-f81e-47a8-9435-6ad4d7ebc633/Screenshot+2024-05-16+at+2.06.57%E2%80%AFPM.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608c30025ce4712c460a4b01/1621870071915-MG0Z9HNX1N5TKN9S3KR0/Engagement+Tweet.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608c30025ce4712c460a4b01/1621874633219-3DP0EEST0Y0UJTI1M5H6/Screen%2BShot%2B2021-05-24%2Bat%2B12.10.59%2BPM.jpg https://www.christylawblanchard.com/brand daily 0.75 2025-05-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608c30025ce4712c460a4b01/cc016ed7-d871-4f5d-8ea0-5cdfbe2722a5/IG.png Brand - National Medical Fellowships An extensive discovery process found that constituents were excited about NMF’s new, progressive direction, but felt its brand needed to reflect that new direction and tell a story that resonated. With the research in hand, we embarked on an iterative process to develop a brand story, overhaul NMF’s visual identity, and provide clarity about NMF’s impact and mission. The new logo was a radical departure from its predecessors. It was intentionally developed to draw upon the motif of the North Star, which carries importance in many cultures that NMF serves. The north star quilt block was one of many notable patterns African American quilters and “railroad workers” used on the Underground Railroad. It symbolized an important navigational reference and the pursuit of freedom and a better life. It more broadly represents guidance, hope, and finding one’s path. In the context of health and wellness, it can represent the path towards healing. Hopi and Navajo people use an eight-pointed star to represent hope and guidance. A similar Guñelve symbol from the Chilean Mapuche culture represents dawn and the morning star, Venus. The new logo represents NMF’s commitment to achieving its mission and serves as a beacon for those who wish to join this important work. A new brand story and elevator pitch provided critical guidance for how to convey the organization’s historic and present-day impact, as well as to underscore the importance of a diverse health care workforce to deliver better health care for all. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608c30025ce4712c460a4b01/b5cf25a1-3adb-4ef5-84ec-5c4337ef01e2/Screenshot+2025-01-07+at+11.05.42%E2%80%AFAM.png Brand - Activating the New Brand With a new look and brand story, it was time to execute the rebrand across all digital channels, print collateral, banners, NMF-branded program materials, and various elements such as email signatures, Zoom backgrounds, and business cards. Training was key, and I led the Communications team and consulting agency as we walked the organization and its board through what had changed and why. The team now has access to a comprehensive brand guidelines document and a wide array of branded assets. The new brand has resonated well with NMF’s stakeholders who eagerly “rep” the organization with branded materials such as lapel pins, pens, and tote bags, further raising brand awareness of NMF within their networks. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608c30025ce4712c460a4b01/a7c3dc30-eb91-41b4-a31f-fcdf814b4f75/2024+EOY+Campaign_++Gratitude+Report.png Brand - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/608c30025ce4712c460a4b01/2d1994ee-0b05-4dc0-a0f6-95300155926d/NMF+DCTR+collateral.jpg Brand - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.